Latin America's most populous country now has over 1 million infections and more than 50,000 COVID-19 deaths. But President Jair Bolsonaro continues to dismiss the outbreak, and has protested local lockdown measures. The rate of infections continues to grow, threatening indigenous communities in the Amazon, with many accusing the government of genocide.

In this episode:

Teresa Bo, Al Jazeera journalist covering Latin America.

For more:

Protests target Bolsonaro after Brazil's worst coronavirus week

In Pictures: COVID-19 ravages Amazon river communities in Brazil

COVID-19 spreading fast among Brazil's Indigenous tribes

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July 1 is a deadline with the potential to reshape Israel, Palestine, and the rest of the Middle East. That’s when Israel may begin plans to annex parts of the Occupied West Bank — as much as 30 percent. Annexation is illegal under international law and much of the world has condemned it. So why might this controversial move happen now?

In this episode:

Rania Zabaneh (@RZabaneh), Al Jazeera journalist in the Occupied West Bank; Gershom Gorenberg (@GershomG), Israeli historian.

For more:

'Everyone scared': How Palestinians are preparing for annexation

UN, Arab League call on Israel to drop annexation plans

Palestine and Israel: Mapping an annexation

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Carvell Wallace was the host of Al Jazeera's first feature podcast in 2017. In Closer Than They Appear, he had tough conversations centered around issues we are struggling with today, and he gave us a glimpse into what it's like to be a Black man in America. In the first of seven episodes, he talks with Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali. Today, The Take brings you this conversation.

In this episode:

Mahershala Ali, actor and artist.

For more:

Closer Than They Appear

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Global hunger is one of the most dangerous side effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the most vulnerable to hunger live in the world's richest cities, or work in the industries that feed us. In this episode, The Take explores the global food chain's weak links and how some are innovating to help keep people fed.

In this episode:

Duarte Geraldino (@Duartegeraldino), deputy managing business editor for AJ Impact; Edward Summers (@edsummers11), executive director of The Bronx Private Industry Council; and Raj Patel (@_RajPatel), research professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

For more:

Coronavirus response: Hacking emergency food supply chains

Food supply chains do not care if people go hungry

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Protesters say the Hong Kong and Beijing governments are stealthily chipping away at the city's democracy this year, expecting the international community to be distracted by the coronavirus pandemic. Many activists say 2020 is the year Hong Kong will either get democracy, or lose everything.

In this episode:

Divya Gopalan (@DivyaGnews), Hong Kong native and Al Jazeera journalist.

For more:

Hong Kong’s long game to secure democracy

Hong Kong security law: Growing unease about China's legislation

'There is never an end game': Hong Kong after a year of protest

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The coronavirus pandemic has changed every aspect of society, including education. Classes have moved online, and parents have become responsible for their children's schooling. In this episode, we’re exploring how this sudden shift in routine might affect a child's development, and asking what families can do to make kids feel safe and supported.

In this episode:

Dr. Jessica Dym Bartlett (@dymbartlett), director of early childhood research at Child Trends.

For more:

Children facing 'devastating' effect of coronavirus: Report

Coronavirus fallout triggers human development crisis: UN

New normal awaits US college students returning to campus

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Five years of civil war, cholera, and starvation have devastated Yemen while Saudi-led blockades and bombing campaigns have left its healthcare system almost useless. Now, Yemen faces a new challenge — a global pandemic, right when crucial aid to the country is starting to dry up. How bad could things get in Yemen?

In this episode:

Hakim Almasmari, journalist and mediator in Sanaa, Yemen.

For more:

Donors pledge $1.35bn in humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Yemen

Yemen gov't accuses Houthis of covering up coronavirus outbreak

Saudi-led coalition says it shot down two Houthi drones

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Each time someone leaves their home in Baltimore, Maryland, their every move could be recorded from above. The city with one of the highest murder rates in the US has launched the Aerial Investigation Research surveillance program. Critics say it represents a frightening erosion of people's right to privacy.

In this episode:

Patty Culhane (@PattyCulhane), Al Jazeera journalist; Brett Max Kaufman, senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union's (@ACLU) National Security Program.

For more:

US city deploys camera-equipped planes for surveillance

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Anthropologist David Graeber wrote the book on “Bull**** Jobs,” and he joins The Take to talk about what makes work essential, and what makes it pointless. The pandemic has sparked conversations about undervaluing essential workers, especially as pressure grows to “get the economy going again”. In this episode, Graeber asks what we really mean when we talk about “the economy,” and who it benefits.

In this episode:

David Graeber (@davidgraeber), author and professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics.

For more:

On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs: A Work Rant by David Graeber

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Defund, reform or abolish police departments — that's the growing call among US protesters. Already, the idea is taking hold, as the Minneapolis City Council pledged to dismantle its police department this week. Why is this movement gaining traction? We go to Minneapolis to find out.

In this episode:

A. Raphael Johnson (@ulitave), a novelist in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kami Chavis (@ProfKamiChavis), director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest University; Simone Weichselbaum (@SimoneJWei), writer at The Marshall Project; Mohamed Shehk, communications director for Critical Resistance (@C_Resistance).

For more:

Mapping US police killings of Black Americans

US Democrats in Congress propose extensive police reforms

Police forces across US promise reform

Connect with The Take: Twitter (@AJTheTake), Instagram (@ajthetake) and Facebook (@TheTakePod).